This section describes solutions to address the issues for high-efficiency automation given in "2. Improvement of machine operating rate within a prescribed period" using the laser machining as an example.

(1)Improvement of machine operating rate within a prescribed period

・Whether auto-assembling machines or machining devices, an operational rate in production equipment involves idle time typical of individual device.It is thus necessary to determine causes for idle times which occurred on the individual devices and address the issues in order to improve machine operating rate within a prescribed period.Such solutions ensure stable and continuous operation.

・Fine adjustments for adjustable parameters for the device are made frequently in order to keep machine operating rate. It should be noted, however, that the fine adjustment itself may be causing unstable operations to increase.Causes for decreases in machine operating rate must be determined to implement countermeasures in the order of importance of factors affecting the declines.

・In the case of laser machining, idle time for device adjustment accrued for the following reasons:

1. Warm-up of the machine for stabilizing temperature distribution
   Explanation and solution:
   ・Solutions for the following issues are required:
   a) Stabilizing laser oscillator temperature,
   b) Stabilizing optical system for splitting the laser beam and shaping energy shape
   c) Stabilizing temperature around the linear motor
   ・While a solution for a) is relatively dependent on the performance of the cooling system, additional cooling units were installed as countermeasures for b) and c).
2. Adjustments of the optical axis misalignment in the optical bench section caused by thermal deformation after long hour operations
   Previously explained in Vol. 535.
3. Countermeasure for laser energy decrease due to object lens tarnish caused by sublimation gas from the workpiece
   Explanation and solution:
   ・Although the YAG Laser is used and this laser sublimes and thermally eliminates the organic thin film, tarnish formed on the object lens surface due to accumulation of sublimation gas causes the laser intensity to attenuate.
   ・An air suction mechanism was placed in front of the object lens as a countermeasure. (See Fig.1.)